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In response to Mayor Hartnett's comments, Planning and Redevelopment Manager Church confirmed that restaurant use is a permitted use in the downtown district and did not require an extra permit, unless the restaurant wanted to have tables and chairs on the sidewalk. Mayor Hartnett and Councilman Claire, who gave Mr. Abinader his telephone number, told Mr. Abinader to call either one of them ifhe needed more information. MEMO 10/7/97 C. Ralph Garcia, member of the Optimists, spoke about the miscommunications regarding the Climate Best Fest. He said the Fest was not intended to be a fund raiser for downtown Redwood City, that was not its function. It was to raise money for youth of Redwood City. Mr. Garcia explained that the Fest could not be held on Broadway last year because of the Sidewalk Repair Program, and it was moved to Main Street. He said there were a few problems with some of the merchants downtown who violated their liquor licenses, and no restaurant wanted to participate in the Fest. He said this year they returned to Main Street to avoid past problems with some of the merchants and non-participation by others, and they were now being subjected to complaints that they weren't allowed to be part of the Festival. Mr. Garcia said the Climate Best Fest was a fund raiser for the kids, sponsored by the Optimists Club, which normally did things behind the scenes. He said Broadway belongs to everyone, but some merchants did not want others to use it unless they were given special privileges. Mr. Garcia said the new sidewalks, tree lights and two archway signs at each end of Broadway show that the City has tried to bring business downtown. He added that the City doesn't clean the sidewalks in front of his stores, and he cannot put up certain signs as Broadway merchants can. Mr. Garcia said the City has granted special privileges to the downtown merchants and it isn't fair to other merchants in the City. He said the trend for many years has been to revitalize downtown districts with restaurants, theatres, and entertainment activities, not retail stores. Mr. Garcia said it is not the City's place to spend tax dollars to promote the downtown, the merchants there should promote themselves. Mayor Hartnett said all the members of the Optimists Club worked very hard on the Climate Best Fest, and suggested that Mr. Garcia contact Mr. Sanfilipo, whose ideas may be able to generate even more money for service groups fundraising activities in the future. MEMO 10/7/97 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Ruskin said he would support Item 3.1. but wanted to make a statement about it. MIS: RUSKINIHOW ARD WAIVE READING OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR, ADOPT THE RESOLUTIONS AND APPROVE OTHER ITEMS. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 OCTOBER6,1997 MINUTES Page No. 550 PAGE 3